I Daniel Blake
Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake (releasing on DVD and Blu-ray 27th February) lays bare the cruel realities for those who fall through the cracks of society. With the film resulting in much topical debate, we take a look at five films that have influenced change following its release to screen:
ALFIE
In the 1966 original (not the remake), Julia Foster’s character Gilda undergoes a harrowing abortion – carried out in a back room in Alfie’s (Michael Caine) flat. At the time, abortion was illegal in the UK, and the procedure is seen to be carried out by a “back-street” abortionist.
“Backstreet abortions” were outlawed in the UK with the introduction of the 1967 Abortion Act. Although not openly stated, Alfie’s conscience when he saw the results of a botched operation is arguably a contributor to this, as – coincidentally – the film released months before the law began to change.
BLACKFISH
2015 saw SeaWorld announce the end of its controversial “Shamu Show”, replacing this with a new orca experience that focuses on the natural behaviour of whales.
Although it was never openly admitted, their decision was almost certainly a result of the public outcry created by the 2013 documentary Blackfish. The film, which may change you opinion on fishing, drew attention to the dangers of keeping orcas in captivity – for both the animals and their human trainers. In the years following the film’s release, visitor numbers and share prices dropped – no doubt a result of the documentary’s affect on the company’s reputation.
SUPER SIZE ME
Morgan Spurlock pushed his body and health by choosing to eat nothing but McDonald’s for a month. He gained twenty pounds, became depressed, his sex drive diminished, and he suffered liver damage as a consequence. During the film, Spurlock analyses McDonald’s marketing practices, blaming this as the main cause for consumer’s obesity and poor lifestyle choices.
Within six weeks of the film being released, McDonalds phased out the Super Size option from their menu, not admitting – however – that it was a direct reaction to the film, and coincidentally introduced the Go Active Happy Meal (a salad, a bottle of water and a Stepometer). Super Size Me received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary and made over $30m at the box office.
THE END OF THE LINE
The film sought out to highlight the devastating effect on our oceans, making viewers aware that if no action is taken, we would soon run out of fish! More than 4 million people watched the film in the UK alone and following it being shown, large UK retailers – from Marks and Spencer to Pret A Manger – changed their fishing source policies to ensure they were sustainable.
THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS
It is based on events during the Algerian War (1954–62) against the French government in North Africa; the most prominent being the titular Battle of Algiers, the capital of Algeria. It depicts countless scenes of Algerian revolutionaries bombing Parisian civilians, causing viewers to consider where the line between revolution and terrorism truly lies.
Many claim that the film is something of a blueprint on how to revolt against an authority – it’s been rumoured for years that the Black Panthers and the IRA both made use of its tactics. So pervasive is this sentiment that the Pentagon even screened the film to their staff in 2003 to teach them about how to combat embedded domestic terrorism on the home-front.
I, DANIEL BLAKE is out on Blu-ray and DVD from 27th February 2017. Pre-order now from Amazon.
